Players should take plaudits - Cox

Boss Paul Cox has heaped praise on his players, following our enthralling 4-2 victory away at Hartlepool United in Sky Bet League Two.

The Stags scored three times in the last 20 minutes to secure three important points, which lifted us up to 17th position in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.

Cox also applauded the travelling Stags’ faithful who made the long journey to Victoria Park, but has now urged his team to fully focus on Saturday’s match at home to AFC Wimbledon.

“I don t want to take any of the credit,” said Cox. “The boys worked tremendously hard for 90 minutes and performed really well.

“We played some great football in the second half, getting the ball out wide, looking like a thorn in Hartlepool’s side.

“The players deserve all of the credit and get the accolades, but it’s only one win.

“We’ve warmed down properly and taken on board the right fluids, because we’ve got another important game on Saturday.

“I’m more concerned with just picking up points now, heading up the table and getting to the 50 points mark. If we can get to 50 points or close to it, we are another step closer to our goal.

“We want to win as many games between now and the end of the season. I want the same hunger and desire shown from this match.”

He added: “Also, a special mention to our supporters, because they travelled all this way on a Tuesday night, so a massive ‘thank you’ to them. Once again they got behind the boys brilliantly and pushed us over the line.”

Meanwhile, our manager admitted that last night’s match was the most enjoyable game of the season, as his side came up against a team, who were unbeaten in their last five home games and aiming for a place in the Play-Offs.

Cox continued: “It’s probably the most enjoyable game this season in terms of looking at Hartlepool’s recent record.

“We’ve travelled up here and looking at their home record before the game, you would say it was frightening. 12 goals scored, conceding none and four wins out of five.

“I knew with other fixtures, if we got a result here or even a point, it would be an important one.

“We were fortunate that ‘Mazza’ (Alan Marriott) pulled off a great save from the penalty. Those are little bits and bobs in a football match that can change the outcome.

“The spirit and the desire of the players to win games at this stage of the season is fantastic and they deserve a lot of credit.”